Devils Knob to go private at Wintergreen Resort

The Wintergreen Resort near Charlottesville, Va., is embarking on a $12 million improvement project that will include changing the status of its famed Devils Knob Golf Course.

Devils Knob will go private, starting in the spring of 2014, Wintergreen officials said, and access to the course and its other golf facilities will be limited to members, their guests and registered Wintergreen Resort guests.

At more than 3,800 feet, Devils Knob is the highest course in Virginia, and is known for its spectacular Blue Ridge Mountain views, especially during fall foliage season. Designed by Ellis and Dan Maples, it is consistently ranked among the best courses in Virginia.

Resort officials made no mention of any changes to the resort’s other golf complex, the 27-hole Stoney Creek Golf Course, which consists of three nines designed by Rees Jones down in the Rockfish Valley.

As part of the renovation, Wintergreen will build a five-million gallon raw water storage tank and pumping station that will double the resort's snowmaking ability. That, combined with some new snowmaking equipment, will allow Wintergreen to open more ski and snowboard terrain earlier and to deliver more consistent snow conditions throughout the season.

The resort also plans to expand its Wintergreen Aquatics and Fitness Center; upgrade the fitness facility at Stoney Creek; and renovate the Devils Grill, the mountaintop clubhouse restaurant at Devils Knob.

Situated on 11,000 acres adjacent to the George Washington National Forest, Wintergreen offers a unique vacation, social and conference setting with 45 holes of golf as well as skiing, snowboarding, tubing, a tennis center with three indoor courts and 19 outdoor clay courts, a full-service spa, a fitness center and multiple dining options.